Food And Behavior? What’s The Correlation?

What is the correlation between food and behavior?

From autism to ADHD, there has been much research on the links between your child’s food and his or her focus and behavior. Food has chemical reactions in our bodies, so it would only make sense that what are kids eat can affect their moods.

Racheal, via Integrated Learning Strategies, puts it this way,

…if avoiding bad foods can help avoid bad behaviors, wouldn’t encouraging good foods encourage good behaviors? Well it does. What your child eats is a huge factor in their behavior and learning. Making a few changes to a child’s diet can have profound effects on how they function and behave, and how easily they learn. ~NutritionAndLearning

Food And Behavior

Manar Kassem, Nutrition Intervention Program,

“Food is not just something we get when we’re hungry. It’s the building blocks in our body. And, behavior in a child, is the indication of how well the brain is growing, how well it’s developing. So, there is a strong correlation in both.”

Manar makes the point that our digestive systems, though complex, are also efficient. However, she says that if we do notice a delay in development, speech, hyperactivity, etc, with our children, we need to go back and look. Look into the digestive system. Everything from bacteria overgrowth to the lack of certain enzymes can contribute to issues.

Often, the most challenging part for parents, in feeding children better for a mood boost, is the change in lifestyle it can take. But, even small changes can help. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming. If you cannot seem to get your kids away from the french fries, try these tips: 4 Tips On Getting Kids To Eat Healthy

Also, check out the post: USING BRAIN FOOD TO HELP KIDS FOCUS + IDEAS BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER